Ready, Set, Grow
Sandwiched between ghoulish October, and festive December, the month of November is traditionally known for the holiday Thanksgiving. A typical November usually includes turkey, mashed potatoes, family, and mustaches.
That’s right; you’ve read correctly. I wrote Mustaches. The month of November has been endearingly renamed Movember for mustaches and men’s health. During Movember, men are encouraged to go the full month without shaving, in order to raise funds and awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate and testicular cancer, and mental health.
History
The first “Mustache Awareness” event took place in 1999 in Adelaide, Australia, when 80 men grew mustaches for charity. In 2004, a separate group in Australia, the Movember Foundation was formed and the month of “Movember” officially began. Since then, Movember has grown globally with 1,127,152 “Mo Bros” and “Mo Sistas” (that’s what participants are called). Making only $40,000 in 2004, Movember is steadily raising more and more money, raising $147 million dollars last year alone. Right now 21 countries participate, with funds being implemented on a country- by-country basis.
An Important Cause
Funds raised at Movember parties and fundraising events go towards Awareness and Prevention programs relating to Men’s Health. On average men die significantly earlier then women, though there is no clear biological reason why. Men are less likely to be open discussing their mental and physical health, making awareness especially important. For the Facts Click Here.
How to Participate
Though the initial ‘last shave’ event took place November 1, potential “Mo Bros” and “Mo Sistas” can attend a local event, or can host their own event and donate the funds to the Movember Foundation. It is not too late to sign up at Movember.com or to take a strike from shaving for the rest of the month.
Whether you’re a hipster looking for an excuse to grow out your mutton chops, or you just want to reflect your awareness of testicular and prostate cancers, Movember is a great time to work on your Fu Man Chu.
PS. Check out these hilarious music videos made for Movembers past!
girl with mustache via shutterstock
Movember Man via Movember